 kujo9 (1044), North Ridgeville, Ohio, USA
Jan 10, 2003 Updated: Nov 6, 2003
On first sniff, I got a heavy ginger aroma, then when it started to warm I picked up orange peel, piney aromas, and as it warmed even more diacetyl became more evident. The ginger wasn't quite as heavy in the taste as it was in the initial aroma, which in my book is a good thing, but the orange peel was there as well as maltiness and diacetyl. I wish I had a beer flavor wheel in front of me when I drank this because there was a familiar aroma in when I first put my nose in the glass, but I couldn't place it, but it was not an aroma I was particularly fond of, thankfully, it was there and gone. It was pretty well balanced but had a bitter finish to go along with that nice deep copper body and tan head. The bitterness was in the very finish, but it was not offensive, at least as far as I'm concerned. It also became more subdued as the beer warmed. One of these was enough for me for a while, at least for now. If this beer aged more to mellow out the spices, it would be a very good Christmas beer.
One year later:
2002 bottle on 11/6/03
The pine, orange peel, and heavy ginger aromas have dissipated (not completely), but the ginger is still prevalent; light caramel as well. It poured w/a dark tan head and the body is a hazy mohogany (I should have described this last time). I now pick up more chocolate and sherry (oxidative) notes, but I think it adds a little to the complexity; Diacetyl last year is all but gone. The flavor has suffered the most I think. Very oxidized and cardboardy. There are slight hints of the chocolate, caramel, and sherry, even a little sourness. Oddly enough, there is still a tiny bit of hop flavor left, and it's still well balanced. I'm guessing this sixer wasn't stored in the most ideal of conditions and seems to be past it's prime. I just don't think this beer has the alcohol to support any aging. I'm not sure how to go about re rating since the ratings now will take away from my first rating so I'll leave it at that. I'm hoping my comments will say it all. If I had to put some numbers to this they would be in the following order: 4,5,4,5,9. Take is as you will, just MHO!
SDalkoholic (1036), Chula Vista, California, USA
Dec 29, 2007 12 oz bottle from a Liquor store in North Park. I have a long story I want to tell about this beer. First, I have been in search for this 2002 special ale since it was the only one I was missing in the lineup. Well, I went to this store since I had remembered it had vintage 6 packs left so I bought a 2005 six pack and when pulling out the first bottle to examine the year I noticed it said 2002. I was so excited and now I get a wish come true for Christmas.
The aroma is mild with the slightest notes of dark roast malt and light spicing. The appearance is a deep brown with thick head still able to be created despite its age. The flavor is sort of bland and lost most of its original flavors I imagine it had but it still is smooth and drinkable. I honestly think its past its prime and still say the fresh batches of Anchor’s special ale will be the best tasting.
TBone (5116), Pori, Finland
Dec 29, 2007 Bottled
Dark nut brown color, very small off-white head. Chocolaty, rye breadish "vintage aroma". Very coffeish, roasted flavor, some American hops. Liquerish, specially in the aftertaste. Loads of coffee and chocolate.
oh6gdx (6343), Vaasa, Finland
Dec 29, 2007 Bottled (thanks Degarth!). Deep amber colour, not much head. Aroma is spices, raisins some coffee and chocolate. Flavour is mildly oxidized, caramelly, quite hoppy and mild malts & raisins.
YourDarkLord (1800), Urbana, Illinois, USA
Dec 27, 2007 At a recent Champaign-Urbana Beer Club meeting, mamabeer and her papa provided a vertical tasting of these special ales from 2001 through 2007. Thanks Nancy and Tom. This 2002 was like a holiday fruitcake (and I love a GOOD fruitcake). Poured dark chestnut with a robust tan head. The aroma was spice, fruit, chocolate, caramel, well, as I said, a fruitcake in the best sense of the word. Same elements held in the flavor with a nice spicy finish. Nice treat.
Bier brauen (147), Bremerton, Washington, USA
Dec 15, 2007 2007 edition. Nice aroma but thin mouthfeel and bitter taste. Not as big as the inviting seasonal aroma would promise.
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